Worst Test I've been involved in - Ford

Graham Ford was coach of South Africa when his team subjected Sri Lanka to their worst Test defeat ever, in Cape Town, vanquishing the visitors by an innings and 229 runs. He now finds himself with the team he helped demolish at Newlands on the other end of a one-sided result. The disappointment feels worse than any game he has ever been involved in, he said.

Sri Lanka avoided beating their own worst loss at the MCG, but did not manage much better in their biggest Test of the year, losing inside eight sessions, by an innings and 201 runs. It was a loss characterised by their lack of resolve, particularly with the bat, as they fell for 156 in the first innings, before losing three for three, then 13 for four in the second innings, as they attempted to save the Test, having conceded a 304-run first innings deficit.

There were few redeeming aspects of Sri Lanka's performance, save a silken
58 from Kumar Sangakkara in the first innings which took him over the
10,000 run threshold in the same number of innings in which Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar also achieved the milestone. Sangakkara will take no part in the remainder of Sri Lanka's tour in Australia however, having fractured his hand when he was hit by a Mitchell Johnson bouncer in the second innings.

"It's not a good feeling at the moment," Ford, the Sri Lanka coach, said after the match. "Right now it feels like it's the worst Test match I've been involved in. I don't think I've been involved in a defeat inside of three days. It's been quite difficult to find that many positives out of this one apart from Kumar's wonderful milestone.

"I was surprised at the lack of fight. I have often spoken about the fight that Sri Lankan cricketers have. What I've become accustomed to is a lot of fight. Admittedly a lot of that fight has been more in the one-day format than in the Test match format, but we have shown some good fight in Tests. Australia got some really good momentum going and we didn't get the start that we wanted."

Sri Lanka's bowlers also performed creditably in patches, creating an avenue back into the match when they removed the Australia openers and Phillip Hughes in quick succession on the first evening, but poor catching thwarted their efforts. Shane Watson and Michael Clarke's 194-run partnership put Australia in command of the match, and set up their
mammoth first-innings lead.

"Maybe if we held those catches - I know they were spoken about a lot on that first afternoon - that might have halted some of their momentum. But they got to the point where the momentum just became too much for us. Unfortunately with a few things going against us with injuries, we weren't up to it."

The injury to Sangakkara means reserve batsman Dinesh Chandimal is almost
certain to play in the third Test in Sydney. Chandimal may also take the
gloves at the SCG, with Prasanna Jayawardene also under an injury cloud,
having sustained a fractured thumb as a result of another Johnson bouncer. Either fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep or offspinner Suraj Randiv is also likely to start, with Nuwan Kulasekara's cracked rib likely to rule him out of contention. Chanaka Welegedara has also been ruled out for the Test, after tearing his hamstring on day two in Melbourne.

"Chandimal is very, very keen to get on to the Test match stage. He's worked extremely hard throughout the tour. So for him if he does get on and play, it will be a great opportunity for him.

"The injuries are a challenge. At the moment, we are still discussing and
assessing the damage. That's something we're going to have to talk about.
We have got back-up in the squad and I know that the back-up has been
working extremely hard. And sometimes out of injury, careers are made.
People get opportunities and they can grab them. One of our young guys will
get to play in a New Year's Test in Sydney and if they can play well, they
can establish themselves as Test players and gain great confidence from
it."

Ford also said he would like to have the services of Lasith Malinga for the
final Test, but believed it to be impossible for the fast bowler to make a Test
comeback in time for Sydney. Malinga is in Australia playing in the Big
Bash League at present.

"We certainly need him, but that's a contractual issue that I'm not
involved in at the moment. He's contracted to the Big Bash at the moment,
and not available to us."

I feel Ford over-reacted with his "worst Test" comment... You lose though injury your wicketkeeper before he can field, then your no.1 seamer in his 4th over, finally your most consistent batsmen when fighting to recover - any team would have been in deep trouble trying to avoid a loss... Clarke & Watto both dropped before scoring 10 would have changed the match in SL favor, a fairly easy stumping goes begging - the keeper was badly missed in this match...

Slesh
on December 31, 2012, 16:50 GMT

well said Prabhash1985..! i quite agree.we shouldnt blame our plyers.they are humans too.

Prabhash1985
on December 31, 2012, 14:43 GMT

It's not a war that we got defeated. It's just a Cricket match. Why do you forget all the good they did, and just speak as if they are the most selfish people on the planet? I hate this sort of attitude towards our team. They did everything they could. All those catches, NONE of them are easy chances. I watched the match live. It's not statistics I speak of. Beating Australia in Australia is always a tough thing. Keep supporting the team, rather than speaking nonsense. Help them to win the game, at least by a single word. Mahela has lot of cricket left, so as Sanga. But, they are to throw away their positions, help young people to get into better positions. But, there is none to take the chances. Honestly I expected Chandi get some chances, but he did not, because we thought they must have an experienced side to face Aussie attack. Let the game go. It's not a war. It's just a game. In game, you lose, you win, but life goes on. Try playing with leather ball in a good track,its terrible!

Sugath
on December 31, 2012, 14:31 GMT

When you do not do basics right, cancel Test Series in favor of T20 crusade what can you achieve. Too much focus on T20 and not test cricket has lead to this pathetic situation. A second 11 from Sri Lanka would have done better than the laden footed players.
At least for the third test do a SWOT, look to strategic alternatives and not try to copy what Aussies doing and go with three ineffective seamers

on December 31, 2012, 6:24 GMT

How can a side improve when their own cricket board cancels test tours?

MH19
on December 31, 2012, 0:26 GMT

Well said Graham atleast you take ownership but its not your problem the players need to perform.We have seen no comments like yours from Batting Coach,Bowling Coach and even from the fielding coach sad but its true thats our ownership responsibilites they take.I hope you will stir and shake up few changes in our team for betterment of our cricket.

dcrik
on December 30, 2012, 22:01 GMT

As the Sri Lankan coach, Graham Ford needs to take responsibility for the worst Test defeat too. Is Graham's comments aimed at annoying the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and ending his contract earlier?

parkies
on December 30, 2012, 4:08 GMT

@jonesy2 there you go again,the worlds best cricket side,you have the best all rounder in the world,the Best spinner in the world and the best top 3 in the world.face the truth you are going to get beaten by England.

Inaz
on December 30, 2012, 2:07 GMT

I believe Thissara Perera could do better in these condition than Nuwan pradeep and nuwan kulasekara.

on December 29, 2012, 22:20 GMT

@Muhammad Moosa: "Yet,it is the batting which is the determining factor down under.Guys like Smith,Cook,Trott,Kallis,Amla,A.B and K.P. ... The best the Lankans can hope for is some pride but thats important as well." Might want to check Statsguru out. Here are the the averages of the batsman you list, when playing in Australia against Aus. Some are good, but several are pretty average:
Smith: 39.36 (subpar), Cook 65.12 (excellent), Trott 89.0 (even better), Kallis 46.84 (OK, but nothing to write home about compared with other post 2000 averages), Amla 57.81 (excellent), AB 44.73 (about the same as JK), KP 56.66 (excellent). Other important batsman from the recent past: SRT 53.20, Lara 41.97, Dravid 41.64, VVS 44.14. Given your disparaging remarks about Sri Lankan players should mention that there is at least one that compares favorably with this list: Sanga 60.33. As is well-known his average increased greately once he gave up wk duties. In Aus his non-wk ave is 77.28

zenboomerang
on January 1, 2013, 1:02 GMT

I feel Ford over-reacted with his "worst Test" comment... You lose though injury your wicketkeeper before he can field, then your no.1 seamer in his 4th over, finally your most consistent batsmen when fighting to recover - any team would have been in deep trouble trying to avoid a loss... Clarke & Watto both dropped before scoring 10 would have changed the match in SL favor, a fairly easy stumping goes begging - the keeper was badly missed in this match...

Slesh
on December 31, 2012, 16:50 GMT

well said Prabhash1985..! i quite agree.we shouldnt blame our plyers.they are humans too.

Prabhash1985
on December 31, 2012, 14:43 GMT

It's not a war that we got defeated. It's just a Cricket match. Why do you forget all the good they did, and just speak as if they are the most selfish people on the planet? I hate this sort of attitude towards our team. They did everything they could. All those catches, NONE of them are easy chances. I watched the match live. It's not statistics I speak of. Beating Australia in Australia is always a tough thing. Keep supporting the team, rather than speaking nonsense. Help them to win the game, at least by a single word. Mahela has lot of cricket left, so as Sanga. But, they are to throw away their positions, help young people to get into better positions. But, there is none to take the chances. Honestly I expected Chandi get some chances, but he did not, because we thought they must have an experienced side to face Aussie attack. Let the game go. It's not a war. It's just a game. In game, you lose, you win, but life goes on. Try playing with leather ball in a good track,its terrible!

Sugath
on December 31, 2012, 14:31 GMT

When you do not do basics right, cancel Test Series in favor of T20 crusade what can you achieve. Too much focus on T20 and not test cricket has lead to this pathetic situation. A second 11 from Sri Lanka would have done better than the laden footed players.
At least for the third test do a SWOT, look to strategic alternatives and not try to copy what Aussies doing and go with three ineffective seamers

on December 31, 2012, 6:24 GMT

How can a side improve when their own cricket board cancels test tours?

MH19
on December 31, 2012, 0:26 GMT

Well said Graham atleast you take ownership but its not your problem the players need to perform.We have seen no comments like yours from Batting Coach,Bowling Coach and even from the fielding coach sad but its true thats our ownership responsibilites they take.I hope you will stir and shake up few changes in our team for betterment of our cricket.

dcrik
on December 30, 2012, 22:01 GMT

As the Sri Lankan coach, Graham Ford needs to take responsibility for the worst Test defeat too. Is Graham's comments aimed at annoying the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and ending his contract earlier?

parkies
on December 30, 2012, 4:08 GMT

@jonesy2 there you go again,the worlds best cricket side,you have the best all rounder in the world,the Best spinner in the world and the best top 3 in the world.face the truth you are going to get beaten by England.

Inaz
on December 30, 2012, 2:07 GMT

I believe Thissara Perera could do better in these condition than Nuwan pradeep and nuwan kulasekara.

on December 29, 2012, 22:20 GMT

@Muhammad Moosa: "Yet,it is the batting which is the determining factor down under.Guys like Smith,Cook,Trott,Kallis,Amla,A.B and K.P. ... The best the Lankans can hope for is some pride but thats important as well." Might want to check Statsguru out. Here are the the averages of the batsman you list, when playing in Australia against Aus. Some are good, but several are pretty average:
Smith: 39.36 (subpar), Cook 65.12 (excellent), Trott 89.0 (even better), Kallis 46.84 (OK, but nothing to write home about compared with other post 2000 averages), Amla 57.81 (excellent), AB 44.73 (about the same as JK), KP 56.66 (excellent). Other important batsman from the recent past: SRT 53.20, Lara 41.97, Dravid 41.64, VVS 44.14. Given your disparaging remarks about Sri Lankan players should mention that there is at least one that compares favorably with this list: Sanga 60.33. As is well-known his average increased greately once he gave up wk duties. In Aus his non-wk ave is 77.28

2.14istherunrate
on December 29, 2012, 20:57 GMT

Graham Ford calls this the worst game he has known. I am inclined to agree-wretched fare. It is a pity they want to play fewer tests in SL when clearly they need to play more. As a side they are not this bad, nor Australia that good. SLC must have some rare tyoes-not good ones-running it.

Crunchtime1
on December 29, 2012, 19:42 GMT

@metro-ant. you've hit the nail on the head mate. Although chandimals' century was a wonderful display of arrogance that for me does epitomise the attitude of Ranatungas' time.
And I don't mind aggressive, boundary-hitting batting, the type SL is known for, as long as it scores the runs; but when you cannot pull it off, revert to the standard test temperament.

and please let us never speak of the 'Kapugedera incident' ever again.

Lord.emsworth
on December 29, 2012, 17:31 GMT

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.. Ford should come out and say what most people now realize. Except for Karunaratne (Who deserves an extended run) and Herath the rest of the SL Test team that played this test should be sacked ASP. Thet are ageing,jaded, have no mental strength,and have lost whatever they had long ago; selfishly occupying places they should forfeit for younger, talented, virlile players. This includes the captain.

Metro-ant
on December 29, 2012, 15:53 GMT

Sri Lanka are just like the other sub continental teams, just playing for statistics. The future doesn't look that bright especially seeing the young Chandimal behaving the way he did at Lord's in that ODI against England. No doubt he is good but the attitude and the TRUE fighting spirit is what is absent ever since Ranatunga's time.

Jayawardene's field setting is terrible and Mathews becoming captain is also worrying since he has scored 1 century and averages 69 with the ball, so where is the prestige gone in earning test captaincy? There's no point using the 'potential' reason for selection as we all know what happened with Kapugedera. What Sri Lanka need to do is stick to basics and take their time at the crease like how they used to, just ask Faf!! With the fast bowlers I don't think anyone has a clue.

2.14istherunrate
on December 29, 2012, 15:15 GMT

It comes as no surprise that Graham Ford thought that the worst Test he had witnessed. It was the worst I have watched or tried to. What a bad one for Boxing day. Too bad that Sanga is out for good. it is not that Sri Lanka lack players. I would rate their batting as theoretically good. They need to go for broke and play 2 spinners in Sydney. It may be that the present attitude in SL for not playing tests found expression here, and they died accordingly. Shame on SLC. They need real cricket brains there, as tests are the future, more than t20.

mcsdl
on December 29, 2012, 15:14 GMT

Sri Lanka hasnt done well in Tests when they tour abroad... But they have done much better than India's 8-0 humiliation...! India is rubbish both home & away now..!

Ruban_Varathan
on December 29, 2012, 15:00 GMT

Nuwan Pradeep is a waste of money......He even struggle to take wickets in home condition.....So including pradeep in playing XI is not a good idea....Randiv is the best choice to goahead......his bowling suits in bouncy tracks.....Sydney test will assist spinners as well...So Herath and Randiv will toil the Aussies batsmen for sure.....Gd Luck Randiv.....

samincolumbia
on December 29, 2012, 14:47 GMT

Ford - The thing that should boggle your mind is how Sri Lanka was thrashed by the average aussies and how mediocre Mitch was made to look world class. You can take some comfort in the fact that had it been SA, you would have to go in hiding for a few days.

gnanzcupid
on December 29, 2012, 13:51 GMT

@mr.ford. You are destined to see more frustrations with your further association with sl board. Remember that sanga and mahela will retire in a year or two, after that you will see the worst.

on December 29, 2012, 13:32 GMT

Temperament,technique,decisiveness and intensity are non negotiable's down under.Pace bowlers that are accurate and can generally move the ball away from the right hander have a chance provided there is variety in the pace attack and a good spinner to back the pacemen.The catching has to be spot on in the slips and other positions.Yet,it is the batting which is the determining factor down under.Guys like Smith,Cook,Trott,Kallis,Amla,A.B and K.P have made some major runs in recent years.Interesting to note that all these players are 6 foot or over (apart from A.B).The best the Lankans can hope for is some pride but thats important as well.

jonesy2
on December 29, 2012, 13:18 GMT

its ok take some comfort in knowing you were simply on the end of a complete performance by the worlds best cricket side.

on December 29, 2012, 13:15 GMT

When Ford took over as coach, a journalist wrote. "The Ford will pull Srilankan team out of the Marsh". Geoff, might have frowned then; must be smiling now. What happened now? The Ford broke down? Or, the towing rope snapped? Or, what? Hope, my neighbors won't be pushed back into the mire? My friends from SL, if you want to give Ford a send-off, can we have a joint send -off for F & F ( Ford & Fletcher) together?

anranga1
on December 29, 2012, 13:10 GMT

Quite similar to how the we Indians performed. The cribs, complaints, analysis is all the same.

DiamondSoul
on December 29, 2012, 13:07 GMT

Stop dreaming about malinga factor even by now.he is not going for a test return for sure.Go for new things and you may get at least a good new thing

on December 29, 2012, 12:42 GMT

If we're going to lose, let's have some new talent in there. The old guard needs to be phased out faster and somebody fire those selectors!

SL got to be one of the most conservative administrators in Cricket. Look at how long they took to even recognize Mathews was a great talent. Murali never got to captain for whatever crazy reason. Vaas perhaps could have played a bit longer. Thisara has also got to get back into this side.

Forget about winning in Australia. Sri Lanka can't even compete. This is beyond pathetic. Maybe Sri Lanka's future lies in providing cannon fodder to the IPL.

on December 29, 2012, 12:16 GMT

Lack of quality faster bowlers and lack of discipline in batting cause them a huge defeat but they fought well in the 1st Test match. I think SLBC should be more concern on Test Cricket

on December 29, 2012, 12:15 GMT

I was not expecting to see SL win any of the tests in Australia, but did not expect to see such an embarrassingly spineless display of allround cricket.
Too many distractions with the captain and the team not concentrating enough on the game at hand.
There are also fundamental issues with the structure of the system in SL. There are too many sub standard teams participatng in the top division. Until such issues are sorted out I am afraid that SL cricket will not prosper.

pandez
on December 29, 2012, 11:48 GMT

Sri Lankan criket team are the worse touring side when it comes to Test series.

on December 29, 2012, 11:24 GMT

yea indeed.........finished so fast......Aussies dominated

IanJF
on December 29, 2012, 11:07 GMT

At least begin 2013 with some fight, spirit, and professionalism.. Let it be a new beginning !

No featured comments at the moment.

IanJF
on December 29, 2012, 11:07 GMT

At least begin 2013 with some fight, spirit, and professionalism.. Let it be a new beginning !

on December 29, 2012, 11:24 GMT

yea indeed.........finished so fast......Aussies dominated

pandez
on December 29, 2012, 11:48 GMT

Sri Lankan criket team are the worse touring side when it comes to Test series.

on December 29, 2012, 12:15 GMT

I was not expecting to see SL win any of the tests in Australia, but did not expect to see such an embarrassingly spineless display of allround cricket.
Too many distractions with the captain and the team not concentrating enough on the game at hand.
There are also fundamental issues with the structure of the system in SL. There are too many sub standard teams participatng in the top division. Until such issues are sorted out I am afraid that SL cricket will not prosper.

on December 29, 2012, 12:16 GMT

Lack of quality faster bowlers and lack of discipline in batting cause them a huge defeat but they fought well in the 1st Test match. I think SLBC should be more concern on Test Cricket

on December 29, 2012, 12:42 GMT

If we're going to lose, let's have some new talent in there. The old guard needs to be phased out faster and somebody fire those selectors!

SL got to be one of the most conservative administrators in Cricket. Look at how long they took to even recognize Mathews was a great talent. Murali never got to captain for whatever crazy reason. Vaas perhaps could have played a bit longer. Thisara has also got to get back into this side.

Forget about winning in Australia. Sri Lanka can't even compete. This is beyond pathetic. Maybe Sri Lanka's future lies in providing cannon fodder to the IPL.

DiamondSoul
on December 29, 2012, 13:07 GMT

Stop dreaming about malinga factor even by now.he is not going for a test return for sure.Go for new things and you may get at least a good new thing

anranga1
on December 29, 2012, 13:10 GMT

Quite similar to how the we Indians performed. The cribs, complaints, analysis is all the same.

on December 29, 2012, 13:15 GMT

When Ford took over as coach, a journalist wrote. "The Ford will pull Srilankan team out of the Marsh". Geoff, might have frowned then; must be smiling now. What happened now? The Ford broke down? Or, the towing rope snapped? Or, what? Hope, my neighbors won't be pushed back into the mire? My friends from SL, if you want to give Ford a send-off, can we have a joint send -off for F & F ( Ford & Fletcher) together?

jonesy2
on December 29, 2012, 13:18 GMT

its ok take some comfort in knowing you were simply on the end of a complete performance by the worlds best cricket side.